Targeted Affordable Housing (TAH)
Targeted Affordable Housing (TAH) is a program that provides a permanent housing subsidy with light touch services (a typically a quarterly check-in) for households experiencing homelessness who do not require ongoing, wrap-around services to maintain housing. Participants are connected to community services (i.e. child care, job training) for other needs that arise. Without this type of permanent financial support, many of the families and individuals served by TAH would be at risk of becoming homeless again.
TAH has the following characteristics:
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Initially, a DC Department of Human Services housing navigator acts as the point of contact for both the household and the housing provider. When a household signs their lease, a program manager becomes the point of contact. This allows for positive communication between all the parties when there are questions or concerns.
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The program is a permanent housing resource. Eligible program participants can receive the subsidy and support for as long as they need or want it (as long as they remain eligible). This offers stability to both the program participant and the landlord.
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Participants in TAH select their own housing—which can include single-family homes, townhouses, apartments, or shared-living situations—so long as housing meets the District's fair rent standards and passes a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection by a licensed HQS inspector.
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Each unit must pass an HQS inspection before a household can move in. Download the inspection checklist.
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Participants sign their own lease. Through the lease signing process, program providers make sure that everyone understands their rights and obligations for participation in the program, tenancy, and how rent payments are made.
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As part of their participation in the program, households receive quarterly wellness check-ins to monitor their needs or any changes in the household. Participants may also be referred to community-based services.
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Program participants pay approximately 30 percent of their income towards rent directly to the housing provider. If the participant has no income, the program will pay 100 percent of the rent.
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TAH units are eligible for participation in the Landlord Partnership Fund (LPF). The Fund mitigates landlords exposure to advance rental costs, such as excess unit damage and unpaid rent. To learn more about the Fund, please click here.
Frequently Asked Questions about Leasing in Place
with Targeted Affordable Housing
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What does "Lease in Place" mean?
When a tenant uses their voucher to Lease in Place, they will remain in the same unit they have been living in, rather than moving into a new unit with the voucher, and a new lease will be signed. The payment of the rental subsidy will change from the Rapid Re-Housing Program to the Targeted Affordable or Permanent Supportive Housing Program, but all payments will still be issued by DCHA.
How is Targeted Affordable Housing different from the Family Re-Housing Stabilization Program?
Targeted Affordable Housing is a permanent voucher for families who do not require intensive case management, but will not be able to afford market rent on their own. As it is a permanent voucher, tenants will not be subject to the time limits of the Family Re-Housing Stabilization Program. Also, case managers meet with families as they need assistance, rather than multiple times every month.
Will the subsidy portion change?
The amount of subsidy you receive from DCHA will change when the tenant transitions from Rapid Re-Housing to TAH. Under Rapid Re-Housing, a tenant would pay a portion (30-60 percent) of their income in rent. Under TAH, a tenant pays 30 percent of their income in rent.
Will how I receive notice that payments changed?
If you have a direct deposit account set up with DCHA, payments will continue to be issued via direct deposit, you will not need to receive another first paper check. If you do not have direct deposit set up, you will have the opportunity to set up those payments. Currently, the Rental Partnership Initiative (RPI) is only available to housing provider who partner with the Family Re-Housing Stabilization Program/RRH-F and enter into a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) agreement with the Department of Human Services.
Will the Unit have to be inspected?
Yes. DCHA will need to complete a re-inspection of the unit; however, this inspection accounts for the fact that the unit is lived in; and therefore, is less stringent than a new unit inspection. Once the paperwork is completed to lease in place, DCHA will contact you in order to schedule an inspection of the unit.
Is there any other new paperwork?
DCHA will have some new paperwork for you to sign with the new lease. Most principally, you will need to re-sign the Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract, which DCHA uses for all its voucher units, outlining the maintenance responsibilities for both the tenant and the landlord.
When can the tenant move?
The tenant may relocate at the end of their lease, at minimum a year after signing the new lease under the TAH or PSH voucher. If the tenant does not want to move, you may choose to sign a new lease or continue month to month.
Whom do I contact over any unit issues?
All requests for missing payments, inspections or other concerns will go through DCHA and your tenant's case manager. More information on this process should be provided at lease up. For additional assistance, contact us at newleaseonlife@dc.gov.
Inspection and Leasing Process
For More Information or Support
Unit Identification
Potential tenant seeks and selects a unit with assistance from program provider. Unit must be in line with DC fair market rent standards.
Lease Up
Once a unit has passed inspection, the lease up is scheduled.
For more specific program information, please contact us at newleaseonlife@dc.gov. For a complete list of agencies and service providers, please visit Resources.
For More Information or Support
Contact us
For more information about New Lease on Life and its programs fill out the contact form or email us at newleaseonlife@dc.gov.